Alberta Non-Partisan League

Alberta Non-Partisan League
Former provincial party
Founded	1916
Dissolved	July 15, 1919
Headquarters	204-205 Leeson & Lineham Block Calgary, Alberta
Ideology	populist
Official colours	Red
Politics of Alberta Political parties Elections

The Alberta Non-Partisan League was a minor provincial political party in Alberta, Canada. The league changed its name to the Non-Partisan Political League of Canada: Alberta Branch in 1917 as it prepared to move into federal politics. The party would changed its name yet again as the Farmers Non-Partisan Political League.

The league was formed to promote the active interest of farmers in the political arena, because it was felt that the Alberta Liberal and Conservative parties did not represent farmers. The non-partisan league conducted extensive meetings with interested farmers across rural Alberta and was socialist in inclination under the influence of William Irvine.^[1]

The League ran one official candidate and several independent or Labour candidates (through the NPL co-sponsored Labour Representation League) in the June 1917 provincial election. J.E. Hillier finished third in a tight three way race in Pincher Creek. However, Louise McKinney and Jeffery Grajkowski were elected as independent MLAs and sat in the legislature on behalf of the NPL.

Lorne Proudfoot future United Farmers of Alberta Member of the Legislative Assembly, had extensive involvement with the league, however he ran officially as an independent candidate for the Independent Political Association for the constituency of Acadia.

In the months that followed, the party became active in federal politics. The decision was made at a 1917 convention in Calgary. The Non-Partisan Political League of Canada was founded. It nominated three candidates in the December 1917 federal election. None were elected.

The league continued organizational efforts for the next few years, gathering a sizeable campaign fund, holding townhalls and increasing the member base. The league's political activities resulted on pressure on the United Farmers of Alberta to either enter electoral politics or face being eclipsed by the NPL. The UFA decided to launch a political arm and, in 1919, absorbed the NPL.^[1] The ground work and organization done by the league helped the UFA win a 1919 by-election and the 1921 provincial election.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Rise to power, Alberta online encyclopedia, Heritage Community Foundation

See also

• List of Alberta political parties

External links

• Lorne Proudfoots correspondence with the non-partisan league
• news paper clippings and party material relating to the Non-Partisan League
• Louise McKinney non-partisan MLA fonds

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